Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger discusses when Alexis Sanchez is returning

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has told the club's official website there is a chance superstar Alexis Sanchez will return at the weekend.

The Gunners face a tricky away trip to Stoke City, and the Frenchman must decide whether the time is right to throw him in.

Sanchez has been out of action since early December when he was injured against Norwich City, but Arsenal are still joint top of the Premier League, with Leicester City.

The Chilean international's return will be a major boost, and Stoke away is a game in which they need inspiration, but it will also be a physical contest, and throwing him in when not 100 per cent will be a risk.

Wenger at least has suggested he will be unlikely to put Sanchez in unless he is not ready. He said the attacker will have to undergo two fitness tests ahead of Sunday.

He said: "I will be cautious now. There is an opportunity that he will be in the squad for Sunday.

"He will have a definite test on Saturday and Friday and Saturday will be two important days for him. It is not impossible that he will be involved."

Dan Coombs

Dan Coombs has been writing for HITC Sport full time since 2012 and has helped the website grow it's audience considerably during this period, while managing a team of writers. He has interviewed high profile names including Stuart Pearce and his work has been cited in Javier Hernandez's biography. In addition to football, Dan is a big fan of the NFL and NBA.